Fractured Flickers Index

FRACTURED FLICKERS

1963. ABC. Jay Ward and Bill Scott, the genius' responsible for Rocky & Bullwinkle and other television cartoons created "Fractured Flickers", a irreverent tribute to silent pictures. It was hosted by Hans Conreid with voice-overs by Paul Frees and June Foray.

Using clips featuring great old stars like Stan Laurel, Douglas Fairbanks, Houdini, Harry Langdon, Ben Turpin and Lon Chaney, mixing in old newsreel footage with goofy plot lines. With this conglomeration you have a entertaining collage of comedy and mayhem. Each show featured a special guest star, however when it went into syndication it was available with out a guest.

To kick the series off they decided to stage a lavish promotion at The Coney Island Film Festival. It turned into a spectacular disaster when a rainstorm drenched the festival. Additionally bad words came their way from the aficionados of silent films for the irreverent treatment given the movie greats. Happily the series was enjoyed by the viewing public and helped spur the new interest shown silent pictures in the 1960's.

75 minutes b/w